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Education Elevat g We continue our series highlighting tremendous educators across Illinois who have given their time and energy to ele- vating the superintendency and public education as a whole. Each month, we will feature two educators who are going the extra mile and truly making a difference beyond their school districts and local communities. While we are aware of many of the contributions administrators are making, we are open to any suggestions for someone to feature next month. To make a recommendation, contact Jason Nevel, IASA Director of Social Media and Publications, at jnevel@iasaedu.org or by calling 217–753–2213. Dr. David Negron Maywood-Melrose Park- Broadview#89 JessicaFunk Western CUSD#12

Who: Jessica Funk, superintendent. What: Sleep in Heavenly Peace; therapy dogs to district; distance learning technology. Where: Western CUSD #12, Two Rivers. When: Superintendent of Western CUSD #12 since 2017.

Who: Dr. David Negron, superintendent.

What: Advocate for districts communicating in different languages; dual language district; Diverse and Learner Ready Teachers Network; Professional Review Panel; IASA COVID-19 Transition Team; superintendent mentor.

Why: Jessica Funk is a big believer that before real learning can take place, students’ basic needs must be met. While superintendent at Western CUSD #12, Funk has taken creative approaches to helping students get a good night’s sleep and improving social and emotional health. In 2019, Funk and her husband along with two other couples founded the Liberty, Illinois chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace. The nonprofit focuses on building, assembling and delivering top-notch bunk beds to children and families in need. To date, teams of volunteers have built and delivered more than 210 beds to children in Pike and surrounding counties. “There is all kinds of research showing the benefits of a kid getting a good night’s sleep,” Funk said. “We have

Where: Maywood-Melrose Park-Broadview #89, Cook West. When: Superintendent of Maywood-Melrose Park- Broadview #89 since 2015. Why: The responsibility to translate school messages to Spanish for his parents always fell on Dr. David Negron’s shoulders growing up. “I think it is difficult when students are placed in the position of translator at their schools for their own parents,” Negron said. “Schools need to communicate to families in a language they are comfortable with, especially for something as important as a child’s education.”

18 LM February 2021